Category: Interior Design

Do I need an interior designer?

Interior Design

When building a new home, an interior designer may seem like an unnecessary luxury, but one you might want to consider before getting too far deep into your home design. An interior designer isn’t just for the rich and famous – anyone who wants to make their home unique but consistent can benefit from the skills of a good interior design specialist. Taking on this task yourself might leave you with some unexpected (and unfortunate) results. Here’s a few good reasons to high a professional interior designer.

They keep communication between builder/homeowner on track

For most of us, Architects and home builders speak a different language than we’re accustomed too. An interior designer speaks this language and can make sure clear communication is kept between both parties. As a member of your team, an interior designer can help lead you through the steps of the home building process and keep your vision on course.

Can assess your personality and ensure your home is a true reflection

Everyone has different wants and needs from their new home. A good interior designer is adept at interpreting those desires and helping to convey your personal style throughout the home. With an interior designer, you won’t need to describe every minute detail of your ideal home. A professional will take your personality into account and try to weave those unique nuances across your home’s design.

Mindful of the budget

Though an interior designer will come with a fee, they can actually save you money in the long run. Perhaps the most important skill an interior designer has is making sure a homeowner’s wishes can be carried out while staying under the assigned budget. DIY home design is a great way to spend more than you really want to. Designing homes is what interior designers do everyday. They know the ins and outs of home design and their associated costs. If you need to stay on a budget, an interior designer can be your best ally.

Does some of the “behind-the-scenes” work that is tedious and not so glamorous

It may seem like an easy/fun job, but designing the interior of your new home takes a lot of work and hours. An interior designer knows the home building process inside and out and hiring one will save you a lot of time/money. They have the inside connections to source materials and samples. And once they’ve helped you choose a design direction, your interior designer will do all the homework regarding material acquisition and getting them to the builder.

Ansley Cottage House plan- reclaimed wood bedroom

If not for anything else, a capable interior design will keep tabs on all the above while also keeping an eye on the big design picture. As a future home owner, sometimes it’s hard to see the whole picture when you’re moving through the process on a step by step basis. You might get caught up on something happening in the kitchen and completely neglect an issue in another part of the home. Your interior designer sees all the pieces and knows how they all have to fit. In the end, your home will have your unique theme that’s consistent from the ground floor to the top.

The latest product trends for new home construction

Now is an exciting time to build a new home. Beyond advances in building technology and energy efficient materials, current product and home plan design trends are making today’s new homes quite remarkable. These products include unique patterned flooring, wide bi-fold/sliding doors, free standing bath tubs, interior shiplap siding, exposed beams, and bold and bright paint color schemes.

Gone are the days of boring home floors. Patterned wood and tile have made their way into homes across the nation. From fumed wood, which dramatically enhances the grain, to blanched wood for a distressed but clean look, wood flooring has taken a prominent step forward. We’re seeing mixed-width planks used to create distinct patterns to the more traditional herringbone arrangement. Marble, slate and ceramic tiles with patterns and textures are also being used to create floors that are an integral part of the home decor scheme.

New door trends are also finding their way into homes these days. What was once just a utilitarian item has now become a unique design feature. Incorporating wide sliding glass doors or large bi-folding doors into the design of home plans with covered porches, patios or decks provides living spaces with natural light and more generous views. Weather permitting, opening these wide doors also extends the home’s living space to the outside creating large, flowing floor plans perfect for entertaining and family gatherings.

In the master bathrooms, the large soaking tubs are breaking free from their typical built-in platforms as the stand-alone tub is fast becoming a hot new item. These free standing tubs, both tranquil and beautiful, make a great design focal point and many master bathrooms are being designed around these icons of luxury and relaxation to create a more spa like feel. With this increased interest, many companies have designed a wide array of tub styles that are both sculpturally beautiful and affordable.

Another trending design element made popular by the modern farmhouse plan is the use of shiplap siding as an interior feature. Bringing this common exterior finish to the inside of the house gives instant character to any space. Whether used as an accent on a fireplace or covering the walls of a room, shiplap siding provides clean, simple lines that exemplifies the “less is more” design concept while impacting the home’s aesthetic appeal.

Next on the new product trend list are exposed beams. Inspired by the roughhewn beams of old barns and traditional farm houses, leaving these bones of the ceiling exposed, adds texture and depth to family rooms, keeping rooms, bedrooms and even kitchens. Architecturally, this technique can work in many different home styles from farmhouse traditional to modern. Whether made from reclaimed or new timbers, exposed beams celebrate the engineering of a home while bringing the ceiling into the forefront of the design pallet.

And finally, what’s new on the home construction front wouldn’t be complete without a mention of trending paint colors. Bold is back. Striking paint color choices like dark navy, rich golds and berry reds are finding their way onto the walls of new homes. Homeowners are embracing intense color schemes, from deep earth tones to vibrant jewel tones, to establish personality and character for their rooms.

All told, conventional home construction has made way for a brave new world of exciting product trends. These products help create a new home that breaks from the norm and better fits the needs and style of the individual family. More than ever, the home has become an extension of a family’s lifestyle. These trends help enable that expression.

The modern farmhouse style. It’s come a long way from the farm.

The term “farmhouse style” describes a home that is a bit different than it was a century ago. Back then, a farmhouse was just that, a house on a farm. It’s where the farmers lived. Today, it’s a very popular design for new homes and has dramatically broadened from a style standpoint. In fact, farmhouse style homes are being built throughout urban and suburban areas. And while the modern farmhouse style has definitely evolved from its days on the farm, its enduring appeal comes from the simple, clean lines, functionality and natural materials.

If the farmhouse style is what you want out of your home, there are a number of exterior and interior key features that will make it so. First and foremost is the front porch. The front porch provides a nice transition from the exterior to interior. Back on the farm, shoes fresh from the fields needed to stay outside and the porch was that place. That may not be the case today, where a front porch allows for casual seating and a warm welcome.

Brookshire Manor House plan – Front Elevation

The farmhouse style floor plan gives ample room for a growing family with a large kitchen and dining area for entertaining. It usually features 3 plus bedrooms, a fireplace in the family room, a mudroom to keep coats, shoes and bags, and a covered back porch for additional living space. Vaulted ceilings and large windows for natural light are also telling elements of the farmhouse style.

The kitchen is a place where the farmhouse style can really shine. A farmhouse style kitchen is large enough to be the central gathering room for the family and an area for dining and entertaining. A most recognized mark of the farmhouse kitchen, is the farmhouse sink. Originally the workhorse of the old farm kitchen, its distinctive style and large size make it a go-to sink for the farmhouse look. Other interior kitchen accents include the use of natural and rustic materials like shiplap and reclaimed wood. The farmhouse style kitchen’s large, open floor plan also provides room for a kitchen island and a sizeable dining table.

Overall, the farmhouse style works nicely in an urban, suburban and even coastal location.
One of its most attractive attributes comes from its broad style flexibility. It’s clean and simple exterior and interior design allows for modern finishes and furnishings, as well as, the more traditional country décor. Anything with a handcrafted and practical look helps capture the farmhouse style. In our hectic, modern world, the farmhouse style has gained popularity as a way to connect and recapture the true essence of home. The farmhouse style represents an authentic and inviting American lifestyle, where the house is truly part of the family.

Summerlake House Plan- Reclaimed wood barn door

Spacious bathroom in gray tones with heated floors, walk-in shower, double sink vanity and skylights

3 Reasons to Choose a Walk-In Shower

Interior Design

When it comes to your bathroom, wouldn’t you like it to be a place of escape and relaxation? Whether you’re coming home from work, the gym or even a long day outside, nothing can help ease stress better than a hot shower. If you are considering what type of shower to put in your home’s bathroom, a walk-in might be a good option.

A traditional bathroom style typically includes a bathtub/shower combo, but modern times call for modern bathroom layouts. The walk-in shower has now become a staple piece in bathrooms, particularly in master baths.

So what defines a walk-in shower? Essentially, it’s a waterproof bathing space that is built without doors, allowing you to simply walk in. Typically, the floors and walls are tiled, but another common feature is a frameless glass barricade that protects the rest of the room from the spray of water. Now that we know what a walk-in shower is, here are a few reasons why you should consider choosing one for your new bathroom.

1. They are practical.

Not only are they practical in the way that they are easily accessible, but they are also easy to clean. The water-proof floor allows for quick cleaning and can be washed down in seconds. Another great thing about this type of enclosure is that it is ideal for people with less mobility, such as the elderly, children, or anyone else that struggles lifting their legs over a bath.

2. They are modern and design-friendly.

One of the great things about a walk-in shower is that there is not a singular way to design it. While many builders opt for natural stone, tile is also a popular choice. With that said, you do not have to stick with only one type of material. Often times, designers and homebuilders will choose two different types of tile or stone to mix and match.

3. It adds the illusion of more space.

Compared to the bulky bath/shower combo that traditional homes typically have, a walk-in shower allows for maximum utilization of a room’s square footage. Whether you choose a completely open space or opt for a frameless glass screen, the room will appear larger and bring in more natural light due to there not being any visual interruptions.

Whether you’re remodeling your home or constructing a new one, a walk-in shower is a feature that should definitely be considered. For more interior design tips or to create a custom house plan with your dream bathroom included, contact the experts at Frank Betz Associates today.

Master Bedroom Touches That Anyone Can Do

Interior Design

Your master bedroom should be a place to relax and unwind. It’s one of the few rooms in a house that can be considered a space to get away. Whether you’re building a brand new house or just revamping your current one, these tips and tricks are sure to make you feel right at home in your master.

1. Use cool-toned colors.

One of the keys to creating a tranquil and calm space, is using a neutral and serene color palette. Colors such as grey, blue, green, white, etc. will be pleasing to the eye and create immediate stress relief to your senses. This example shows a deep heather grey used on the walls, while the carpet and ceiling remain a stark white. The clean lines and cool-toned colors create a harmonious and continuous design.

While grey was used in the example above, many other color combinations can create the same feeling for your master bedroom. Pale blue, natural green or light purple are a few other popular color choices and would all match well with clean white as an accent. The key is to keep the designs simple and the lines clean, which brings us to our next tip.

2. Keep everything simple and clean.

From the furniture and décor to the small details such as door handles and hardware: keep them simple. By doing this, you are creating a room that is stylish, but maintains just enough detail to keep it from being uninteresting. Choosing fixtures that match and keeping lines clean instantly creates a bedroom that is soothing and inviting.

Now, when we say the word “simple,” we don’t mean boring and mundane. In fact, it can mean quite the opposite. Simple just means that clutter is eliminated from the space and that the eye isn’t stuck on one specific part of the room. By designing the bedroom to be coordinated, it automatically becomes more comfortable and will give you the relaxing master that you’re wanting.

3. Give it some character.

It doesn’t matter how large or small your space is, just give it a little touch of personality. It’s easy to have a room with character while maintaining serenity. This can mean adding hardwood floors rather than carpet, adding a unique light fixture or even adding a tray ceiling like the example shown below. The master bedroom pictured would be beautiful regardless, but the vaulted tray ceiling really gives it a special and memorable touch. The added headspace above not only makes the room appear larger, but it accentuates the cool-toned colors and simple furnishings the homeowners chose.

For more tips on designing your master bedroom or find your perfect custom home plans, call the experts and Frank Betz and Associates today.